CREWE arrested their losing run on Saturday but the jury is still out on their prospects for the rest of the season after a 1-1 draw with Rotherham.

Substitute Andy White's 79th minute equaliser saved a point for the below-par Alex. They did deserve their draw, but boos still rang around the Alexandra Stadium at the final whistle.

Crewe slipped to 13th in the Championship. They are six points off a play-off position and 11 from the relegation zone. The burning question now on every supporter's lips is: 'Which way are we heading?'

Dario Gradi said: 'People are disappointed but Rotherham aren't as bad as they might think. They worked hard, found their front men and they gave us a real good run.

'But the players worked very hard and turned the game round. There was only one team going to win it after we scored.'

But the Millers are almost certain to drop a division in May and angry Alex fans feel they should have been soundly beaten.

But Ronnie Moore's battlers are paying a premium price for a dreadful start to their campaign. Results have improved and they are a tough side to break down.

However, Crewe have shown enough class this season to have comfortably seen off Saturday's visitors - even without Dean Ashton.

Gradi had recalled fit-again defenders Steve Foster and Anthony Tonkin to the starting line-up, switching Chris McCready to right back and dropping Richard Walker to the bench.

He kept faith with Clayton Ince in goal, Steve Jones started up front with Luke Varney instead of Mark Rivers, and the usual midfield quartet operated.

Sloppy passing in the final third meant Crewe rarely threatened in the first half. The outfit's creative source, captain Kenny Lunt and Welshman David Vaughan, struggled to penetrate the resolute Rotherham back line.

Although distribution from back to front looked better than of late, crosses from wide areas were poor.

Effort was never in question but a lack of confidence was apparent. And when Ince and his colleagues somehow failed to prevent the experienced John Mullin's soft opener from crossing the line, things looked bleak and the restless onlookers began to voice their opinions.

After the interval Neil Sorvel unusually threatened with blistering shots, but Mike Pollitt in the visitors' goal seemed a match for everything.

Gradi shook things up by replacing the ineffective Varney with Rivers, and the tired Lee Bell with Andy White. Jones moved to the right wing, Lunt to the centre, and Crewe went for it.

It paid off when White's strong challenge forced Pollitt into his one and only mistake, and the lanky forward bulged the net from close range.

Hopes of a maximum return grew, but belief it would come was lacking in the final 10 minutes. Phil Gilchrist and Scott Minto marshalled their defence well and kept the lively White and persistent Jones at bay.